Wrapping-machine



wRAPPmG MAcmNE.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

5 SHEETSMSHEET l.

WMA TroEYs.

E. L. SMITH AND A. E. PHELON.

f APPLICATIDN min rs.24,19x9. 1,313,864.

5% N Rw N@ E. L. SMITH AND A. E. PHELON.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATloM FILED 553.24.1919.

1 ,3 1 3,864. PatentedAug. 19, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

y MTTORNEYS.

E. L. SMITH AND A. E. PHELON.

WR NG mAcHmE.

"PUC" E 8'2" m9' Paten dAug. 19,1919.

ETS-SHEE WM ATTORNEYS.

E. L. SMITH AND A. E. PHELON.

WRAPPING MACHINE.

APPucATloN FILED ris. 24 |919 1,313,864. Pantemug. 19,1919.

5 EEEEE S-S EEEE 5.

VENTUR UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEioE.

ELMEB L. SMITH AND ARTHUR E. PHELON, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS T0 PACKAGE MACHINERY COMYANY, 0F SPRINGFIELD, MASSA- CHUSETTS, A CORPORATION 0F MASSACHUSETTS.

WRAPPING-MACHINE.

Application filed February 24, 1919.

To all 'whom it ma concern.'

Be it known t at we, EL-Mnn L. SMITH and ARTHUR E. PHELON; citizens of the United States of America, residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Wrapping-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in wra ping machines, and, in its present embodiment, relates specifically to machines for wrapping bars of chocolate, havin one flat and one curved side, which are inc osed in an inner wrapper and an outer label, although it will be understood that it is not limited to machines designed for use with suoli bars.

One object of our invention is to improve the mechanism for transporting the articles through the machine, and toV simplify the movement of such mechanism.

Another object is to improve the mechanism for making the end fold on the inner wrapper.

Another object is to improve the means for making the final fold in the outer label.

In the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine with some parts removed, taken on the line ,2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fi 3 is an elevation of the end folders for t e inner wrapper, taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a similar view showi the chute and article elevated between the olding finers. g Fig. .5 is a plan of the lower half of the chute under the end folding mechanism, showing the elevating device,taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. .6 is a perspective view of the article and inner wrapper as theyy are delivered into the first tumble box.

Fig. 7 is a similar View showing the article and wrapper as they are ejected from the first tumble box. ,I

Fig. 8 is a View showin the preliminary action of the end folding n rs. i

Fig.. 9 is a viewof the article after such nctiomhas taken place.

Spccication of Letters Yatent.

Patented Aug. 19, 1919.

Serial No. 278,889.

Fig. 10 is a bottom perspective View of the article with the inner wrapper oompletely folded around it.

F1 11 1s a side elevation of the second tumb e box, the luin device for the outer label, and the c ute or receiving articles from the second tumble box, taken on line 11-.11 of Fig. 2.

lFig. 12 is a detail of the parts shown in Fig. 11 showlng the article and outer label as they are about to be ejected from the second tumble box.

Fig. 13 is a similar detail showing a further. step in the ejection.

Figs, 14, 15, and 16 are views showing successive stages in the wrapping of the outer label around the article, and

Fig. 17 is a section on line 17-17 of Fig. '2., showing the guide for preventin rotative movement of the reciprocating eeding arms.

This machine pushes a bar of chocolate or other article a into a sheet of paper w placed across a chute, forming a fold as shown in Fig. 6 and carries the two into a tumble box. The rotation of this tumble box and the subsequent ejection of the article from it folds the paperI as shown in Fig. 7. On ejection from this tumble box the article is located in a portion of a chute which is bodily movable vertically. The up ward movement of this chute carries the article and wra per (Fig. 7) between end folders forme (Fig. 8) to give a preliminary fold and crease to the tubular end ex tensions of the wrapper, leaving them in the condition illustrated in Fig. 9. Aslight further upward motion of the chute causes the folders to tilt under the article (Fig. 4) and an elastic band to be drawn taut over the top of the article thus tensioning the wrapper and foldin its ends snugl under the article (Fig. 10%. The chute t en descends to its original position, and the article is fed into a second tumble box, icking np an outer label .e on the way igs. 14 and 15). This label does not extend over the ends of the article, and by mming the extending ap (Fig. 11) and by folding that flap onto the bottom of the article (Figs. 12, 13 and 16) the wrappin is completed and the article may be ejecte in any convenient manner. The mechanism operating on the article in its passage sprockets 41 and through the nnlchine will now be consideredy in order.

The articles L are fed into the machine along ways l() by gravity or any suitable feeding devices, not essential to our invention, to a position between plates 11 and 1n .front of a feeding arm 12. This arm, as well as arms 13, 14 and 15, is rigidly attached to a sliding bar 16 mounted for rcci rocation in bearings 17 secured to the t dile 18 on which the mechanism is mounted. To prevent any movement of rotation by bal' 16 and the feeding arms attaclmd thereto, a depending member 19 (Fig. 172 is secured to it and has a projection 20 running iu a slot 21 in a plate on table 18. Reciprocating axial motion is imparted to ban 16 and the feeding arms by cam 22 and connecting means comprising bell-crank 23, plvoted to the frame of the machine and carr ing cam roll 24, and link 25, which as s oivn is in the form of a turnbuckle for adjustin the position of the feeding arms. It wilbe noted that all the feeding arms are in line with each other and are given only a simple back and forth motion in a single plane.

The article is pushed by the forward motion of arm 12 past a paper slot 26, between plates 27 similar to plates 11, and into a pocket formed b parallel spring pressed plates 28 mounte at one end on the hub 29 of the first tumble box. Paper is fed into slot 26 byl any suitable device for feeding sheets or for cutting sheets from a web. Such devices are old and well known, form no part of our invention, and need not be illustrated nor described. B the sequence of operations just described t e inner wrapper w is picked up as the article is pushed past slot 26, and as the motion is continued, the sides of the wrapper are folded about the article as shown in Fig. 6 by the action of pla-tes 27.

The tumble box is of eculiar construetion, having two airs of p ates forming two pockets separate by a space wide enough to receive feeding arm 13, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It is rotated from shaft 30 through a ar train comprising bevel wheels 31 an 32, pinion 33, and gear 34,- the last of which 1s mounted on shaft 30. The second tumble box, to be described later, is mounted on the shaft of pinion 33. Intermittent rotation is imparted to shaft 30 by a Geneva movement of the usual form, having a slotted wheel 35 on shaft 30 and a crank 36 on a shaft 37 4carr in cam 22 previously referred to. Sha t 3 receives continuous rotation from shaft 38 on which a driving pulley 39 is located by means of chain 40 and 42. The intermittent rotary motion given to the tumble boxes, both of which are exactly alike, is sufficient to rotate them through 180 andthen ho1d them stationary long enough for the introduction of one article and the expulsion of another.

The structure of the tumble boxes cooperates with the feeding arms in a manner which avoids the necessity of stopping the tumble box while the feeding arm is returning to position after havin ejected the article, and also admits of t 1e feeding arms having a purel straight line motion. What may e terme the normal or original position of feeding arm 13 is that shown in Figs. 1 and 2, midway between the pockets of the tumble box. In this position the tumble box can rotate around it undisturbed. When the tumble box has stopped in thel )osition shown, arm 13 moves to the left ,(Ii r. 1) until it reaches the position shown 1n that ligure as occupied b arm 14, thus expelling the article from t e tumble box and locating it in position for the end folds to be made as will e described later. It then retraces its ath toward the original osition. While the ceding arm sso moving, libwever, the tumble box has commenced a rotation-of 180, and when the feeding arm reaches the tumble box on its return journey the tumble box has rotated through approximately 90, so that the feeding arm can pass through the s acebetween the two pockets without inter erence. It will be understood that the coperation of arm 15 with the second tumble box is the same as that just described for arm 13 and the first tumble box.

B the rotation of the first tumble box the trai ing flap b of the wrapper has been folded over as is common in machines of this type, so that when the article and wrapper are ejected from the tumble box it will be folded down as shown in Fig. 7. To assist in folding down and guiding this trailing flap a curved late 43 may be mounted to partially encircle the tumble box (Fig. 1) in any) convenient manner. 1

n ejection from the first tumble box the article, with the wrapper folded in tubular form around it, passes through a channel or chute whose bottom is formed by a stationary plate 44 and whose top by movable plates 45 carried on spring pressed pins sldable through arms 46. These arms are fastened to a head 47 carried on rods 48 passing freely through guides 49' secured to the table. Vertical recip-rocation is given to the head bv.a rod 50 plvoted at one end to a depending ear 51 o the head and at the other to a lever 52 having a cam roll 53 running in a groove on a face cam 54 on shaft 38 (Fig. l). Also secured to head 47 is an arm 55 supporting a plate 56 serving as a movable support for the article to raise it between the end folders as will be described. The4 article and wra per are pushed from the first tumble box y arm 13 to a position directly on plate 56, head'47 bein at that time in its lowered position. e head il then elevated the arms in turn bein through the action of cam 54, carrying with it plates 45 and 56, and bringing the article between the end folders as shown 1n Fig. 4. The head is then lowered to its orlgmal position.

The end folders, shown in detail in Figs. 3 and 4, are carried on a cross piece 57 fastened to longitudinal members 58 mounted on posts 59 rising from the table 18. Attached to cross piece 57 by rods 60 is a1 head 61 having ldepending bearin 62 for the pivots ofthe end folders. hese folders comprise plates 63 mounted on small-blocks having arms 64 to which rods 65 are pivoted, pivoted to a cross head 66; Projecting rom this cross head is an arm 67 1n the path of an adjustable stud 68 on one arm 46. By this means as head 47 is raised, bringing the article and Wrapper between the folders, stud 68 contacts with arm 67 and head 66 is also raised, swinging the lates 63 on their axes throu h the me iuxn of rods and arms 64. band of exible material 69, preferably elastic fabric, is fastened at each end to folders 63.

The operation of the end folding devices is as follows, reference being had to Figs. 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10. Starting with the parts in the position of Fig. 3, the article and wrappenhaving been placed on plate 56 by feeding arm 13, the movable portion of the chute. comprising-plates 45 and 56, is raised. The first effect of this is to bring the projecting tubular ends of the wrapper between plates 63,'which are in the osition shown in Figs. 3, and 8. These p ates have cutaway portions 70 having slanting sides, and as the wrapper passes up between thein the sides of the tubular extensions are turned in and the extensions themselves are bent down, forming a preliminary fold as shown in Figs. 8 and 9. At this instant stud 68 contacts with arm 67 and the folders are tilted inwardly as shown in Fig. 4, bending the depending part of the wrapper under the article and tensioning the flexible strip 69 over the top of the article, thus drawing the wrapper taut. As the article descends, the underlying folds are held in place by spring pressed pads 71 pivoted to arm 55 just below plate 56. These pads are yieldable so as to be ressed down out of the way by the end olders, but follow up as the latter withdraw before the wrapper extensions have time to bend away from their folded position.

When the article, with the inner wra per completely folded, has descended to the evel of the main part of the chute it is pushed by feeding arm 14 over a plate 72 and under plates 45 past a aper slot 73, where a label z, fed therein y any lsultable means, is picked up as shown in Figs. 14 and 15; and into one pocket of the mond ,tumble box,

which has two s aced pockets formed by spring pressed pates 74 similar to plates 28 of the iirst tumble box. In the meantime feeding arm 13 has. )ositioncd another article under the end olders and, as the feedingr arms start their retrogrado movement, the portion of the chute carrying the article has started to rise, so that when arm 14 approaches plate 56 and the article they have risen clear of its path.

The label is positioned in the paper slot 73 so as to provide one longr trailing end c, which receives a stripe of glue and is folded on to the shorter end d 'on the at side of the article. The mming is done by the customary oscillating glue pot 75 having a roll 76 and receiving motion from a cam on shaft 37 through bell crank 77, member 78 which is slotted to receive shaft 37, and cam roll 79 carried on member 78. The glue pot descends after the tumble box has made its rotation and positions flap c as shown in 'Fig. 11, but before the ejection of the article is begun.

Trouble has been experienced in machines of this character from two causes. First, it is necessary to have sufficient clearance for the flap c when the tumble box is in the ejecting osition, so that the flap will of its own sti ness be presented to the glue roll. Although intended to show details of the present machine Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate this point. 'In Fig. 11 there is enough clearance for the a so that it extends straight from the artlcle to the glue roll. In Fig. 12 the end of the discharge chute is so close to the tumble box that the flap is forced to extend vertically, and could only' be presented to the glue roll by additional mechanism. In the second place, if the end of the discharge chute is spaced suiliciently from the tumble box to give this clearance, difficulty is found in making a tight fold. In the travel of the article from the tumble box to the delivery chute it passes through this clearance space, during which time one surface of the article is unconiined. This gives opportunity to the folds to loosen, and a poor product results.

Our invention solves both of these problems, as will appear. The lower wall 80 of the delivery chute is fixed except for its customary spring mounting, but the upper wall 81 is pivoted to oscillate about a center 82. This action is obtained from a cam on shaft 37 by lever 83 carrying a cam roll 84, link 85. and a lever 86 connected to the wall 81. lVhen the tumble box first arrives in its ejection position the upper wall of the delivery chute is rocked into the position of Fig. 11, affording free space for the extending flap c to resent itself below the glue roll. After t e gluin operation is comleted wall 81 is raise into the position of igt. 12 and 18, thus folding flap c into a purposos,-it presents the flap c to the glue roll, it folds this flap into a vertical positlon, and it serves as an abutment past which the article is pushed to make the final fold in the wrapper.

In order to prevent gumming of the mechanism if through some mischance no label is in position when the glue plot de scends, the flap c is supported during t e glulngoperation by projections 87 and 88 carried on the upper wall 81. If no label is resent the glue roll will descend harmlos y between the two projections, but if a label is present, its rigidity will be sufficient to insure gummng.

The articles may be ejected from the mas chine along guides 89 in any suitable way, either by pressure of the succeeding articles or by some well known conveying means forming no part of our invention, operated, for example, from shaft 90 which 1s drlven intermittently through gears 34, 91 and 92 from shaft 30.

We claim 1. In a wrap ing machine, a chute to re eeve a artially wra ped article, foldmg means jacent the cliute, and means for moving a portion of the chute and the article into the folding means. -v

2. In a wrapping machine, a chute comprising upper and ower lates and adapted to receive an article wit a wra per associated therewith, folding means a jacent the chute, and means for movin the chute includin part of th the upper and the lower i ates, together with the article, into the olding means.

3. In a wra ping machine, a path along which a artia 1y wrapped article is adapted to trave folding means located above such path, means for elevating the article from the path into the folding means, and means actuated by the elevating means for operating the folding means.

4. In a wrapping machine, a path along which a partially wrapped article may be moved, folding means adjacent the path, means for temporarily transferring the article from the path to the folding means, and means actuated by the transferring Vmeans for operating the folding means.

5. In a wralpping machine, a chute to receive a parta y wrapped article, means for elevatin a portion of the chute and the article a ve the line of the chute and for lowering them again into the line of the chute,and folding means operated by the elevatmg means to fold .a rtion of the wrapper while the article 1s evated.

a portion of4 6. In a wrap )ing machine, a chute to rcceve a partial y wrapped article, pivotcd end folders located adjacent the chute, means for moving| a portion of the chute and the article between the end folders and moving them back again into the line of the chute, and means actuated by the motionJ of the chute for swinging the end folders to fold a portion of the wrapper.

7. In a wrap ing machine, a chute to receive a partial y wrapped article, pivoted end folders located above the chute, means for elevating a portion of the chute and the article between the end folders and lowering [hem again into the line of the chute, and means actuated by the elevation of the chute for swin ing the cud folders to fold a portion of t e wrapper.

8. 'In a wrapping machine, a chute adapted to receive a partially Wrap ed article; end folders located above the e ute; means for elevating a portion of the chute and the article between the end folders, whereby the ends of the wrapper are given an initial fold; means operated by a further elevation of the chute to swing the end folders to fold the ends of the wrapper under the article; and means operable after the return of the said portion of the chute and the article to their original position to move the article along the chute.

9. In a wraplping machine, a path alon which a partia y wrapped article is adap to travel, folding means adjacent such path,

' means for tensioning the wrapper about the article, means for transferring the article from the path into the folding means, and means actuated by the transferring means for operating the folding and tensioning means.

10. In a wra ping machine, a path along which a partial y wrapped article is adapted to travel, folding means located above such path, means for tensioning the wrapper about the article, means for elevating the article from the path into the folding means, and means actuated by the elevating means for operating the folding and tensioning means.

11. In a wrapping machine, a chute to receive partially wrapped articles, a tumble box in the line of the chute having spaced article receiving pockets, means for rotating the tumble box, and ejecting means for the article movable through one of the pockets to eject an article therefrom and movable back to its original position through the space between the pockets when the tumble box has rotated from the ejecting position.

12. In a wrapping machine, folding means, a chute adapted to receive a ,partially wrapped article and having a portion thereof movable transversely from a position adjacent the folding means to a position where the article may be acted upon by the folding means, and reciprocating means for feeding the article along the chute movable through the chute to feed the article and movable back to its original position when the said portion of the chute is in the folding position.

13. In a wrapping machine, in combination, a chute to receive partially Wrapped articles, a tumble box in the line of the chute, and a plurality of reciprocating members always movable in a straight path and in line with each other for feeding the articles along the chute and through the tumble box.

14. In a Wrapping machine, a chute, a plurality of reciprocating means always movable in a straight path and in line with each other for feeding a plurality of articles along the chute in one direction, means for folding a wrapper about the article, and means associated with the folding means for temporarily removing the articles from the path `of the reciprocating means during the retrograde movement of the latter.

15. In a Wrapping machine, a tum-ble box constructed and arranged to receive a partially Wrapped article with one extending Hap, a chute adjacent the tumble box having one movable wall,and means for movin such Wall between a position out of the pat of the said extending flap and a position to tceive the article ejected from the tumble 16. In a Wrapping machine, a tumble box constructed and arranged to receive a partially Wrapped article with one extending flap, means for gluing such flap, means to eject the article from the tumble box, means to receive the article so ejected, and means to move said receiving means so that it will not interfere with the presentation of the Hap to the gluing means.

17. In a Wrapping machine, a tumble box constructed and arranged to receive a partially Wrapped article with one extending Hap, an oscillating glue roll, a chute adjacent the tumble box having one movable Wall, and means for moving that wall between a position presenting said flap to the glue roll and a. position to receive an article ejected from the tumble box.

18. In a Wrapping machine, gluing means` folding means, and means for moving said folding means to a position in which it presents a wrapper flap to the gluing means and then moving it to fold the flap.

19. In a Wrapping machine, a tumble hox constructed and arranged to receive a par- .fially Wrapped article with one extending flap, means to apply glue to that flap, folding means for that fia-p, and means moving the folding means first to present the flap to the gluing means and then to fold it.

20. In a wrapping machine, an abutment past Which an article and wrapper are moved to fold a flap of the wrapper, means to present the article to the abutment and to move the article past it to fold the Hap. and means acting prior to the folding operation to move the abutment from an`inoperative position to a position where it may receive the article so presented.

ELMER L. SMITH.

ARTHUR E.` PHELON. 

